Shopify

People today not only shop in person, but also shop and buy online with mobile devices, and social media. If you are a merchant with products to sell, it is crucial to use an e-commerce solution to globally reach tech savvy customers on the move.

Which e-commerce solution is best for merchants?

To help answer this question will depend on your needs and whether you already have a website or want to establish one. There are numerous e-commerce solutions available, but today I will review 3 that I am familiar with: Ecwid, Shopify, and Volusion.

Ecwid is short for “e-commerce widgets” and is a widget-not a standalone solution. It integrates with your existing website, social pages, or blogs. To make your life a bit easier, there are built-in features for Ecwid plugins with site builders such as WordPress, Joomla, Wix, and Yola. Some of Ecwid features include, but not limited to:

Four plans ranging from $0 to $99 a month. The FREE forever plan allows you to add 10 products to your store. The most expensive plan does not put a limited on the number of products you sell.

Fully hosted including upgrades and SSL-certificates

Limited to payments via PayPal

Unlimited bandwidth

No transaction fees

Ecwid is perfect for merchants that already has a website and want to add a simple feature of selling products. Think of it as the “Spark” of vehicles to simply get you from point A to B in e-commerce. If you are on a budget and have a few products you want to sell, then the free plan is ideal for you.

Shopify is not a widget like Ecwid and combines the features of being a website builder and an online store in one solution. That makes it a fully featured content management system. Some of Shopify features include, but not limited to:

Three plans ranging from $29 to $179 a month. There is no limited to the number of products you can add to your store. The costs vary depending on the amount of file storage you need and the available features you are wanting. There is also a 14-day FREE trial.

100 + customizable themes available with some being FREE and others for an additional cost

Built in full blogging platform

Fully hosted including upgrades and SSL-certificates

70+ international payment gateways

Transaction fees depending on plan chosen

Unlimited bandwidth

Search Engine Optimization

Discount codes and gift cards

Shopify is perfect for merchants that don’t already have a website or online store and is looking for a mid-range e-commerce solution. Think of it as the “Impala” of vehicles to drive you in e-commerce. If you are needing advanced POS functions, a full blogging platform, require numerous payment gateways, then Shopify is ideal for you.

Volusion also combines the features of being a website builder, an online store, and a fully featured content management system in one solution like Shopify. What makes Volusion different is that it offers more functionality for customers to compare and view products online. It also lacks a blogging tool, but it is possible to link third-party blogs to your store. Some of Volusion features include, but not limited to:

Four plans ranging from $15 to $135 a month. There is no limited for the amount of file storage you need. The costs vary depending on the amount of products you are wanting to sell and features you are requiring. There is also a 14-FREE trail available.

100+ customizable themes available with some being FREE and others for an additional cost

Volusion is perfect for merchants that want the “Cadillac” in e-commerce solutions. Volusion has been in the industry longer than Shopify and with that offers more experience and offerings. If you are requiring more functionality for your customers, less emphasis on blogging, and have the time and patience to utilize and navigate thru the numerous bells and whistles in this e-commerce solution, then Volusion is ideal for you.

Note: In my opinion, I would choose Shopify. It has affordable plans and enough options to for any merchant to sell products effectively online.

Are you currently using an e-commerce solution and want to voice your opinion? Please share. I’m listening.